A Word from the Board
KBR is fortunate to have an outstanding lineup of experts with extensive experience in numerous industries serving on our board of directors. These individuals not only work together to help guide our business strategies, monitor performance, evaluate risk, conduct oversight and much more — they’re also fascinating people!
In this edition of KBR Link, we’re excited to feature not one but ALL of our board members. We’re taking a special look back at some of the highlights and insights from our interviews with these amazing leaders.
Special Edition
Mark Baldwin KBR Board Committees: Audit (Chair); Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility
We asked:
You’ve seen firsthand how the energy industry has evolved. Why is KBR’s domain expertise in sustainable technology solutions a potential game changer at this moment in time?
We are witnessing a fascinating time, as the world desperately needs to transition to greener energy sources and thus a green energy economy. This energy transition will require a lot of engineering and process expertise (such as ammonia, hydrogen, etc.), which plays right into KBR’s strengths.
What are some tips you might offer employees for staying connected, personally or professionally?
Human connections and establishing friendships are what is important in life and work. I find connections established around common interests seem to strengthen the ties people have with one another.
Stuart Bradie KBR President and CEO Board member since 2014
We asked:
“We do things that matter.” It’s true across KBR. What does it mean to you personally to be a part of a company that’s delivering the kinds of solutions we do?
I love working for KBR and hugely appreciate what our people do every day, and our people DO things that really matter. They tackle or support some of the biggest challenges and opportunities the world faces today — and will face tomorrow. It is incredibly exciting, and it is easy to get out of bed every morning when KBR is helping tackle climate change, helping protect our way of life, deploying technology that helps feed the world, advancing humankind beyond this planet, and so much more.
Favorite book or movie?
“Shrek” (Well, he is Scottish.)
Lynn Dugle KBR Board Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair); Compensation; Cybersecurity
We asked:
Sustainability is a big focus for KBR, both socially and environmentally, and one component of this initiative is striving to be a more inclusive and diverse company. Why is that important?
The ability for each of us to bring all of our intellect, ideas, experiences and yes — our passion — to our work is what every individual deserves in a workplace. And this is far more than just making sure that we have a good mix of men and women, people of different ages, people of different races and ethnic groups — all the things we can see that make us different. Inclusion goes much deeper. Inclusion means when someone speaks, they are listened to, that their ideas are considered, that their recommendations are used, and that others honor and respect the complete person. It takes into account the places they’ve been, the experiences they’ve had and the unique perspective they bring to their positions.
What’s your favorite book or movie?
I read two to three books a week, so I was having a hard time coming up with my favorite. But when I took a step back, I thought, “Of course (hand smack to the forehead), it’s the Bible.” Second is “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” and anything else written by Dr. Seuss.
Gen. Lester L. Lyles, U.S. Air Force (ret.) Chairman of the Board KBR Board Committees: Cybersecurity; Nominating and Corporate Governance
We asked:
The first edition of KBR Link featured Stuart Bradie’s Four Words for 2020 — Passion, Teams, Trust and Sustainability. Does one of the words mean something particularly special to you?
Actually, all four words are special to me. I have always had a passion for people and technology. I am fortunate to have had opportunities to lead and inspire teams to achieve objectives. I’ve always taken building and earning the trust of all stakeholders for any enterprise very seriously. And as for sustainability, any passionate endeavor should be structured to have lasting positive effects and to protect the broader environment.
Do you have a favorite car?
That’s an easy one — the 1973 246 Dino.
Sir John A. Manzoni KCB KBR Board Committees: Audit; Cybersecurity
We asked:
In a 2019 interview, you said one of the most important things that people leaders at any level can do is think about ways, even small ones, by which they can invite teams to take control of their own destinies. What’s one way employees, regardless of where they work within the business, can take more control of their professional destiny?
This is really important and speaks to the need for each of us to feel empowered and able to make our own decisions — whether that’s about our professional career or our day-to-day work. It is also exhausting if someone else is always in control of your destiny. I call it inner confidence. It’s different than confidence which comes from the outside. This comes from the inside, and being in control of your destiny helps you build it. It can be small things which are within your gift day to day. Do them well and think about whether you can expand those things. There will always be things we cannot control, and we have to learn to not sweat those because it just frustrates us. If you are building a career, be clear about your own goals (and that isn’t straightforward sometimes!), your own strengths, and build on those. Don’t chase what someone else thinks important. Be clear for yourself and define your own path —because then you will be happy with it.
Tell us about your experience in 2020 of being conferred by Queen Elizabeth II as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB).
I feel hugely honored and grateful for being knighted of course, and it’s as a result of my time in the U.K. civil service, helping to improve the effectiveness and delivery capability of that organization. It is also lovely for my wife, who also can use a title, because she tolerated a stressed and mostly absent husband over many years. It’s a curiously “English” thing, so it’s pretty important to remember it doesn’t mean much to anybody else! It was a lovely day in St. James Palace, and I am now the (very) proud owner of a very fancy medal in a lovely box which sits in the safe and is unlikely to come out much!
Lt. Gen. Wendy M. Masiello, U.S. Air Force (ret.) KBR Board Committees: Compensation; Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility
We asked:
In 2020, KBR announced its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions over the next decade. Why is this commitment, and a strong commitment to sustainability, so important for our business?
KBR is a global company that operates in two strong realms — Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions. I think there is no better way to demonstrate company commitment and understanding of net-zero emissions than to “own it” at a corporate strategy level and at a personal level within the company. When I was in government acquisitions, I was skeptical of companies that wanted to sell me ideas and products which they did not use or embrace themselves. KBR’s announcement of its net-zero carbon emissions objective says to the world, “We’re walking the talk, and we can show you how to do it too.”
Favorite place(s) you’ve visited?
Italy. I’ve been to 49 U.S. states. I’ve visited numerous countries in the Asian-Pacific region (including Wake Island), South America, the Middle East and Europe. So far, the one place I didn’t get enough of was Italy.
Jack B. Moore KBR Board Committees: Compensation (Chair); Cybersecurity; Nominating and Corporate Governance
We asked:
Starting in 2020, KBR enhanced its focus on people. Why is that crucial, especially considering how the pandemic has changed the ways companies do business?
We are a people business that requires every employee to be focused on their role in delivering solutions and technology to our customers on a global scale. KBR is blessed with highly engaged employees that wake up every day doing the right things right! It is reflected in our safety performance, our customer feedback and our financial results. The pandemic required us to work differently, without the structure of the office and presence of our work teams, but our employees didn’t skip a beat. And this is how highly engaged employees perform.
Favorite book or movie?
I’m a World War II buff, so my favorite book is “Unbroken” and favorite movie is “Saving Private Ryan.” But my wife will tell you my favorite movie is “Caddyshack.”
Ann D. Pickard KBR Board Committees: Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility (Chair); Compensation
We asked:
Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) is a major focus at KBR. From your experience as a leader, how important is it to have an inclusive, diverse culture that supports its people and provides opportunities for development and advancement?
Companies that are diverse make better decisions. Our clients are diverse, so how can we understand them if we are not? Diversity is a business imperative, just like safety. We need to recognize that some people are reluctant to put up their hand for a job or new opportunity. So, we must actively help to manage their careers, making sure they are getting the opportunities that are out there. We must also recognize that we all have biases and seek to ensure that those biases don’t impact the work environment.
What are some causes you’re passionate about?
My husband and I adopted two kids, one Native American and the other identifies as African American. Both have struggled with mental health issues, learning differences and discrimination in their lives. I didn’t have any personal familiarity with these issues but have learned to see the world through their lives and to see the challenges they face. As a result, I have become passionate about trying to address these issues whenever I can. For example, we have funded a program to help educate primary school teachers in Wyoming to identify learning differences early and then to give students the tools to work with.
Carlos A. Sabater
KBR Board Committees: Audit; Nominating and Corporate Governance
We asked:
KBR provides numerous opportunities for employees to proactively take charge of their careers through thousands of online learning and training resources and through initiatives such as Communities of Interest, the ONE KBR Tech Fellows program, and more. How important have resources like this been in making you the leader you are today?
I feel continuous improvement resources were vital to my own development and leadership skills. I have always believed that leadership is about gaining experiences, personal development and learning, and then being able to lead, guide and pass those learnings and experience to others. As a finance professional and CPA, I have spent countless hours in my own professional development. I felt it was not only my responsibility but my privilege to continue to develop and learn. But more importantly, I felt compelled to then to pass it along to others. Resources and development opportunities such as KBR Communities of Interest, which encourage people to learn directly from their peers, are best practice. This process allows them to develop their own problem-solving and leadership skills by leveraging the capabilities of others. KBR will then gain a competitive advantage when our people then reach back into the KBR communities and give those learnings back to others.
Favorite hobby or leisure activity?
Golf, sporting clays and boating in particular. I dream about my surfing days when I was a professional on the East Coast!
